What's in Season Right Now

From plums in San Francisco to blueberries in Boston, we have the freshest food to eat this minute in every Equinox city.

With farmer’s markets at their everything’s-in-season glory right now, choosing which produce to carry home can be the hardest part of shopping. Here, a few insider recommendations from top farmer’s markets across the country.

San Francisco

The Market: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market The Find: PlumsWhy Buy: A good source of Vitamins A and C, plums are plentiful in San Francisco this month. One vendor, Tory Farms, has 11 different varieties of plums this time of year; each is usually only in the market for one week. With so many plum varieties to choose from, Santa Rosas are crowd favorites at the market thanks to their rich, tangy flesh.

Los Angeles

The Market: The Farmers Market LA at Third and FairfaxThe Find: White PeachesWhy Buy: White-fleshed peaches have less acid which means they taste sweeter and can be enjoyed for dessert without added sugar. Try them sliced and sauteed with a sprinkle of cardamom or halved and grilled with a drizzle of balsamic.

Miami

The Market: Pinecrest Gardens Farmers Market The Find: DragonfruitWhy Buy: Tropical fruits are prevalent in Miami, and summer marks the beginning of dragonfruit season. This antioxidant-rich fruit has a hot pink, spiky exterior and antioxidant-rich flesh that tastes similar to a kiwi. Dragonfruit also contains a hidden bonus: Edible seeds that are packed with omega-3 fatty acids.

New York

The Market: Union Square Greenmarket The Find: Tiger MelonWhy Buy: These small striped melons are a hit with city shoppers who find them easier than full-sized melons to lug home on the subway. Tiger melons taste a bit like cantaloupe, but have a light, pale flesh. Look for melons with strong fragrance at the stem, which indicates ripeness and best flavor.

Washington D.C.

The Market: The Dupont Circle FRESHFARMThe Find: Cardoons Why Buy: Popular in France and Italy, a local chef brought cardoon seeds to a farmer a few years ago after being unable to find the vegetable anywhere else in the area; now is the tail end of their growing season. Cardoons look like extra-large celery stalks and taste a bit like artichoke. They’re rich in potassium, calcium, and iron and are best eaten blanched or sauteed with fresh herbs and lemon.

London

The Market: Islington Farmers’ MarketThe Find: Cherries Why Buy: During peak cherry season, there can be up to 15 different varieties coming from a specialist grower in Kent. Deep red cherries are packed with anti-inflammatory polyphenols, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. Plus, keep an eye out for fresh-pressed cherry juice at the market, it comes straight from the orchard.

New Jersey

The Market: Summit Farmers MarketThe Find: TomatoesWhy Buy: Tomatoes are the official state vegetable of New Jersey, so it’s no surprise that the they’re in abundance here during their peak season. Lycopene, the antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color, is absorbed more readily by your body when paired with a bit of fat, so serve thick slices of fresh tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and a bit of coarse salt.

Boston

The Market: Copley Square Farmers MarketThe Find: BlueberriesWhy Buy: Anthocyanin antioxidants in blueberries have been linked to better heart health and cognitive function. The good news: Research shows that freezing berries won’t break down beneficial compounds. To freeze, wash and thoroughly dry berries and arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Freeze until berries are firm, then transfer to zip-top bags to enjoy best-ever blueberry flavor even in the middle of winter.

Toronto

The Market: St. Lawrence MarketThe Find: Nectarines Why Buy: Unlike peaches, nectarines have a smooth, fuzz-free skin so even picky eaters won’t need to peel them — great news for shoppers who want the extra fiber in the skin. Though tempting to use in desserts, ripe, seasonal nectarines in Toronto are sweet and juicy enough to enjoy on their own or diced and stirred into tart greek yogurt.

Connecticut

The Market: New Canaan Farmers Market The Find: Lima Beans Why Buy: Though you may have turned your nose up at lima beans as a child, farm-fresh beans are something worth trying again: Their creamy flesh and buttery flavor adds something special to summer salads. Plus, they’re packed with plant-based protein, fiber (a cup has more than half of what you need for the day), and potassium.

Dallas

The Market: Celebration Market at Celebration Restaurant The Find: OkraWhy Buy: Three bright-green okra pods have just 30 calories but pack three full grams of fiber. Forget the deep-fryer (a traditional way of serving okra in the South) and try it in the steamer basket instead. Quick-cooking okra takes just about three minutes to steam.

Chicago

The Market: Green City Market The Find: Eggplant Why Buy: We're partial to any plant whose flavors sing on the grill, but eggplant is also worth loving for it's fiber-richness and phenolic acids, including those with anti-cancer properties. With just 19 calories per cup, feel free to dig in (one with creamy flesh and glossy skin is ready to eat.)